NES Classic: Rakuten to start taking orders for the Famicom Mini later today

Nintendo released the Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition (known in Europe as Nintendo Classic Mini: Nintendo Entertainment System, and in Japan as Nintendo Classic Mini: Family Computer) back in October 2016, and it was a big hit. The console instantly sold out, and was extremely hard to find in stores. Unfortunately, it was discontinued before demand was fully met.

But last year, Nintendo announced that production of the NES Classic would resume in 2018. We were not given a concrete date for when the console would once again be available in stores, but the press release mentions that in Europe and North America, shipments would resume this Summer.

Nintendo did not say when shipments would resume in Japan, but it looks they already have. Later today, Rakuten / Bic Camera will start taking orders for the Nintendo Classic Mini: Family Computer again, though only between 12AM and 11.59AM JST. The console will be sold slightly below MSRP (5 670 Yen without taxes, 6 123 Yen with taxes), and will be shipped with 1-2 days. Nintendo hasn’t made any announcement yet.

So far, Rakuten / Bic Camera is the only retailer to have announced a new shipment for the Nintendo Classic Mini: Family Computer, which is certainly odd. And since the console will only be available for a few hours, it looks like quantities will still be quite limited (especially as we don’t know if it will remain available during the full 12h).

Hopefully, Nintendo will make a proper announcement in the near future, though it’s unlikely we’re going to get one soon for Europe and North America!